West Roxbury, Massachusetts, often confused with Roxbury, is a neighborhood in Boston which is home to approximately 28,700 residents. West Roxbury, MA was founded in 1630 to be mainly used as farmland. West Roxbury is bordered by Roslindale, Dedham, Brookline and Newton. West Roxbury is often referred to as a suburb within the city of Boston.

West Roxbury, Massachusetts is a hybrid neighborhood, and is often described as having a suburban feel in an urban environment. The main attraction in West Roxbury is Center Street, which is lined with several shops, salons, local restaurants and other commercial establishments.

The neighborhood’s streets are lined with trees and mostly single family homes. The community, home to a large population of persons of Irish descent, is politically active, as well as involved in the local parishes and youth athletic leagues. West Roxbury, MA is home to several houses of worship, including three Catholic churches, several Protestant parishes and a Jewish temple.

The prestigious Roxbury Latin School makes its home in West Roxbury. The school was founded in the neighborhood in 1645, and is the oldest school in continuous operation in the United States. The school was founded by John Eliot, with the intent to educate boys in preparation for public service employment within the community. The school now enrolls about 300 boys in grades seven through twelve. The Roxbury Latin School boasts the highest median SAT scores, as well as the largest endowment, of any boys school in the United States, estimated at approximately 143.8 million dollars.

Every year, on the first Sunday in June, West Roxbury hosts the annual Corrib Classic 5K. Since its start in 1994, the race has grown into the largest community event, attracting over 2,000 runners every year. The race is held at Billings Field on LaGrange Street. The benefit has raised over half a million dollars over the years to benefit a variety of local causes.

The Westerly Burial Ground and the Boston United in Hand Cemetery are both located in the neighborhood. West Roxbury, MA is also home to a large Veteran’s Affairs hospital, which has undergone several expansions in the past twenty years.